CVE-2025-52951

/// Technical description

A Protection Mechanism Failure vulnerability in kernel filter processing of Juniper Networks Junos OS allows an attacker sending IPv6 traffic destined to the device to effectively bypass any firewall filtering configured on the interface.

Due to an issue with Junos OS kernel filter processing, the 'payload-protocol' match is not being supported, causing any term containing it to accept all packets without taking any other action. In essence, these firewall filter terms were being processed as an 'accept' for all traffic on the interface destined for the control plane, even when used in combination with other match criteria.

This issue only affects firewall filters protecting the device's control plane. Transit firewall filtering is unaffected by this vulnerability.

This issue affects Junos OS: 

* all versions before 21.2R3-S9, 

* from 21.4 before 21.4R3-S11, 

* from 22.2 before 22.2R3-S7, 

* from 22.4 before 22.4R3-S7, 

* from 23.2 before 23.2R2-S4, 

* from 23.4

/// Remediation

Check the references section for vendor advisories, patches, and mitigation guidance. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.

/// References